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Embarking Blog

In order for forgiveness to happen, something has to die. Something has to come to an end. There has to be closure to something, and often many things... Give it whatever theological atonement theory language you want, in Jesus’ death God communicates that he is willing to die instead of demanding the things he deserves.

The shadow mission is the allure of centering our lives around something that is unworthy, selfish, or dark—a shadow mission. Ultimately, the shadow mission is derivative of the shadow side of our character or personality.

Shadows. We all find ourselves at times shadow boxing. There are sides to us – our personalities, our drives, our gifts – which are mere shadows of who we really are, and they are often, and unfortunately, unbecoming.

Let's stop trying to force it. Let's stop trying to make it happen and take it by sheer force or willpower. Let's instead place our souls on the anvil of God's goodness and let him shape us through the tools of his trade...

Yesterday at South Harbor Church, I preached in our Juggling Elephants series about Sabbath and Sanctuary as God's prescribed antidotes to being Redlined and Unbalanced. I promised second service that I would post some really practical resources for those who might be wondering how to take some steps to real life change from the crazy-making many of us are experiencing.

[Excerpt] It is the consumption of it, the appropriation of it, the overuse of it, the abuse of it (whatever it is), the gluttony of it, the possession of it that shapes us, and then "what comes out" is the product (we produce what we consume)of our shaping.

[Excerpt] We can continue in a flurry of activity to pursue change c'est la même chose, or we can find the deeper ongoing true change that comes from a long obedience in the same direction of submission to the only One who can truly change us.